Paul Simons manages Porthminster Beach in St Ives and says public awareness works best: "People who feed the gulls, that's not how they should be getting their food. Ultimately they shouldn't be depending on pasties, ice creams etc. They should know from a young age how to get their own food.

"It's interesting. I haven't heard the theory before. I'd be interesting to know over what period of time because I have seen seagulls be deterred by certain things but only for a short period of time until they get used to it or find a way around it. But it's a very controversial thing with the dog ban and you have to look at things like what if the dog caught the seagull.... and this is a very much a family beach!"